Avira proffers Mac Anti-virus Software

German security company Avira haslaunched free antivirus software for Apple Macs, joining a host ofsecurity software providers proffering protection for OS X. Avirasaid Apple's market share for computers has increased, which has beenfollowed by an increase in malicious software programs. The companysaid the productwill not contain advertising or marketing pop-up ads.Many of the top security software companies offer security softwarefor Macs, on few for free. Kaspersky Lab, Intego, PC Tools, Symantec,McAfee and Trend Micro all offer paid security software, while Sophosoffers its Mac product for free.

Apple has marketed itself as underlyingmore secure as compared to Windows. Security experts have said itsplatform is only like prone to software exposures like otheroperating systems, but Windows is targeted more because of its highmarket share. In a sign of the increasing prevalence of Mac malware,Apple rolled out an anti-malware tool called XProtect in 2009, whichis periodically updated to detect new malware.

Avira as well launched an applicationfor Android phones that can remotely lock or locate a device as wellas erase its data. Applying a web-dependent interface, the phone'sowner can display a "call owner" message on the device witha number. A missing Android device can be plotted on Google Maps. Itcan even be commanded to create a loud sound for 20 seconds, Avirasaid. Up to five phones can be handled remotely. The application isfree and works on Android 2.2, experiences like Froyo, and 2.3,nicknamed Gingerbread.